PLAINVILLE - One person was taken to the hospital after a plane crashed into a parking lot near Robertson Airport Monday morning.

The crash was reported at about 11:30 a.m. According to police, Manfred Forst, the pilot and only person in the plane, was not seriously hurt. He was taken to the Hospital of Central Connecticut and treated for minor injuries.

Dave Thayer, a Bristol resident, was an eyewitness to the crash. He often parks nearby Robertson to watch planes as they land. On Monday, he said he was sipping his coffee as he saw the small plane approaching.

“He was very low,” Thayer said, adding that the plane came close to some utility wires after turning away from the direction of the airport.

Just as the plane craft looked like it was going to land, according to Thayer, it made a sharp “90 degree” turn, hit a tree and spun around before it settled in the Carling Technologies Inc. parking lot, which is adjacent to the airport.

“He looked like he was going to land and all of a sudden made a really sharp turn,” Thayer said. “Luckily the guy is OK.”

The aircraft belongs to Interstate Aviation, Inc. - an airplane rental and instructional business at the airport. A representative at the business confirmed that the plane belongs to them and that the pilot was renting it. They did not wish to comment further.

In addition to police, firefighters also responded to the scene, as a small fuel leak was caused by the impact.

Town Manager Robert E. Lee said he was advised that Forst is about 80 years old.

“He was very fortunate to walk away from the crash,” Lee said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or at jmuszynski@centralctcommunications.com.